Sanaa: Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Sanaa airport in the Yemeni capital, following an evacuation order to residents in the area, the Houthi group reported.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV stated that the airport was struck multiple times, though it did not provide information on casualties or damage.
Further strikes by Israeli warplanes targeted power stations in the districts of Dhahaban, Asr, Hezyaz, and the Attan area in Sanaa, as well as a cement factory in the Amran province near the capital. The Israeli army confirmed these airstrikes, asserting that they were directed at Houthi infrastructure at the airport and other strategic locations.
Prior to the attacks, the Israeli army issued an immediate evacuation order to Yemeni residents near the Sanaa airport. This follows a recent escalation where at least four people were killed and numerous others injured in joint Israeli-US strikes in Al-Hudaydah province. These strikes came a day after a Houthi missile hit Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, which the group labeled a 'warning' to international airlines about the safety of the airport for civilian aviation.
In response to the missile strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened military retaliation against Yemen and Iran. The ongoing conflict in Yemen has seen an intensified US military campaign since March, with around 1,300 air and naval strikes leading to significant civilian casualties, as reported by the Houthi group.
The Houthis have been actively targeting maritime routes in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, where over 52,600 people have died due to prolonged Israeli assaults. Despite a temporary halt in hostilities following a ceasefire in January, Houthi attacks resumed after renewed Israeli airstrikes on Gaza in March.
The situation is further complicated by international legal actions, as the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza.